Public Works Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko is confident about government job targets

The Minister of Public Works Nkosinathi Nhleko is confident that in the new financial year his department will accelerate the fight against poverty and unemployment through the Expanded Public Works Programme.

Yesterday Minister Nhleko and his deputy Jeremy Cronin spent the whole day being briefed by senior managers in the department of public works on progress being made in the fight against poverty and youth unemployment in particular through the Expanded Public Works Programme.

Since 2014 EPWP has created over two million work opportunities with over a million South African youths being major beneficiaries.

In the 2017/18 financial year, the department of public works seeks to have created 1, 406, 736 work opportunities under the same programme.

Said Minister Nhleko: I am confident that we are on our way towards meeting the target of having created six million work opportunities by the end of March 2019. The task of tackling youth unemployment and unemployment generally requires not just government, but the collective will and innovation of the private sector as well. I therefore urge corporate South Africa to fully embrace and play their part by joining hands with us to help secure our future through creating more opportunities for the skilling and employment of our people. So much is possible if we work towards common and lasting solutions.

Minister Nhleko also urged senior managers in his department to work harder in driving leading the empowerment of young graduates and new entrants in the built environment sector.

For radical socio-economic transformation to be meaningful, the construction and entire built-environment sector must take a lead especially through skills training for the youth and advancing broad-based black economic empowerment.

On May 16, Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko will deliver his maiden budget vote in his new portfolio.

Source: Government of South Africa